IMAGINE a railway pub. Is it dimly lit, grubby with dank carpets and saltly locals? Well, you’re out of luck with The Station Hotel in Hither Green.

Or rather you’re in luck, because it’s pleasant and refined. It doesn’t even have carpets but shiny wooden floors.

Outside, a few cafe-style tables are pleasant for taking in the year’s first rays while inside is spacious and high-ceilinged with plenty of wood and a tastefully loose railway theme.

Disappointingly for old school pub lovers, this feels like the kind of place you wouldn’t feel embarrassed ordering an espresso.

But then you see the gigantic range of bottles and half a dozen ales on tap and you realise they are serious about their booze too.

The Station was hands down the cleanest pub I’ve been in. The wood floors glistened and it felt as though I was the first person to have ever placed a pot on the table in front of me.

Even the loos were immaculate and there was posh soap by the sinks.

Frankly the gaffe is so clean it is sterile. It bordered on uncomfortable, like being in a pub film set or a furniture showroom.

The cleaner is clearly a pro and I felt bad about the dribble of ale surrounding the bottom of my glass. On the other hand I was quite happy about it – the less I had to drink the better. I knew the pale ale wasn’t for me, but it was called Mad Goose so I ordered it anyway.

The grog together with a pack of gourmet crisps came to a reasonable £4.10.

When I visited on a weekday afternoon – because I have nothing better to do – it was quiet and somewhat lacking in atmosphere. The muzak did not help, nor did the barman who was polite and efficient but not entirely welcoming.

It is hard to imagine any of this is a factor when it comes to busy evenings, though.

The Station Hotel, Staplehurst Road, Hither Green SE13 5NB

How it rates (Out of five): DÉCOR **** (High ceilings, lots of wood, unparalleled cleanliness but a touch depthless)

Drink ***** (Ales, ales everywhere)

Price *** (Not at all bad considering the upmarket feel)

Atmosphere * (Would almost certainly score higher in the evening, but seemed sterile to me)

Staff *** (Efficient, polite and knowledgeable about his fare but didn’t seem to care)